Benenden

Benenden girls really are a ballsy bunch. They're the third girls' school in the country to launch CCF - their first public parade was at the local village Remembrance Day service. We love the Benenden Diploma, a two-year qualification for the younger years, topped off with a graduation ceremony and a prom.

18 Sep 2016

Sunday 18 September 2016

Benenden girls really are a ballsy bunch. They're the third girls' school in the country to launch CCF - their first public parade was at the local village Remembrance Day service. We love the Benenden Diploma, a two-year qualification for the younger years, topped off with a graduation ceremony and a prom. Further up the school, last year's A-level results were the best ever, with 31 per cent of all grades at A* and a very punchy 90 per cent A*-B. Ten boffins skipped off to Oxbridge, and a new consultant has arrived to support the growing number of US and overseas applications. The school's Big Sister mentor programme has been extended to universities, so that Benenden old girls in their second or third year will keep an eye on fresher alumnae. And one parent felt like they were in the West End while watching the girls' performance of Les Misérables. There was a 140-strong cast, 300 custom-made costumes, a 15-piece band and an audience of 1,200. The new all-weather pitch, pavilion and seating have transformed the sports facilities, and new staff housing and a new school hall are in the pipeline. The village shop is a recent acquisition (the school bought it to prevent it from closing) - girls can volunteer on the tills. Head Samantha Price is a believer in what she calls 'modern boarding - where school is a home from home'; no day or weekly options, but girls go home every three weeks, with 80 per cent living less than an hour away.